Cushion construction



F. BURCH CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 5. 1931 2 Sheets-s 1 |NVENTOR TTORNEY;

Aug. 22, 1933. F. BURCH CUSHION CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1951 ATTO RN EYJ Patented Aug. 22, 1933 1,924,022 CUSHION CONSTRUCTION Fred Burch, Milford, Mich.

Application October 5, 1931.

Serial No. 567,086

12 Claims. (01. 155-179 -This invention relates'to a spring unit of the type used in upholstered cushions.

One of the primary objects .of this invention is to provide a spring .unit of the above mentioned character which Willbe substantially noiseless and in which the number of springs utilized may be;

reduced to a A further object of this invention is to provide an improved means for tying together a plurality of coil springs or the like which are grouped to form a unit.

Still further the invention contemplates the provision of means for tying the springs of a spring unit together while providing for displacement of the springs relative to each other andthe provision of means for holding the springs under compression.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds,- particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a spring seat and rear cushion showing a spring unit constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention arranged in the rear cushion;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a spring unit coninvention;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the spring unit shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a slightly modified form of spring unit;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

In the production of spring units of the character referred to above, considerable difiiculty is experienced in tying the springs together while still providing for shaping of the spring unit when the same is trimmed. This is particularly true when the spring unit is to be incorporated in a back cushion, regardless of whether this back cushion is to be utilized in a vehicle seat or in upholstered household furniture since, for the sake of comfort, these back cushions are usually so formed that their outer surfaces are of rounded or of tapering shape. To obtain the desired shape, it is sometimes customary to utilize springs of difierent heights and to then further shape the unit by variably compressing these springs. The

structed in accordance with the teachings of this present invention contemplates the provision of a spring unit in which the springs will be so tied together that they may move relative to each other to a limited extent to thus facilitate the shaping of the spring unit to the desired configuration.

Referring then particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, there is shown in Fig. 1 a vehicle seat having a seat cushion 10 and a back cushion 11. The subject invention will be described as being embodied in the back cushion of a seat of this character, but it is to be clearly understood that the inventive principles about to be described may be incorporated in a cushion of any desired character whether or not it be used in the back of a seat and whether it, is used in a vehicle seat or in any other type of construction where a spring cushion is desired.

. It will be noted that the rear cushion 11 is, in

accordance with the usual practice, wider at its base than it is at its upper edge, with the result that the outer surface thereof is rounded. As illustrated, the cushion comprises a spring unit designated generally by the reference character 12 and an upholstery cover 13.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings, the spring unit comprises a plurality of coil springs 15, these springs being arranged in transverse rows 16 and longitudinal rows 17. The springs are preferably positioned within a suitable frame comprising upper and lower marginal frame members 18 and 19, respectively. It will be noted that the springs are spaced a substantial distance from each other so that a limited number of springs will provide a spring unit of the size desired.

The marginal springs of the unit have their uppermost convolutions 20 secured as by clips 21 to the upper marginal frame member 18 and have their lowermost convolutions 22 engaged in the lower marginal frame member 19, the latter being a channel member for receiving the adjacent portions of these convolutions in accordance with the usual practice. In order to secure the springs in the longitudinal rows to each other adjacent their lower ends, the lowermost convolutions 22 of these springs are distorted or enlarged so that these convolutions may be secured as by clips 23 to the adjacent portions of the lowermost convolutions of the adjacent springs in the same row. The clips 23 also preferably embrace rigid bars 24 which extend transversely of the spring unit across the base thereof, these bars functioning to rigidly tie together the bases of the springs in'each transverse row. These bars may, if desired, be provided with cloth covers to eliminate all metal-to-metal contact at their points of connection to the springs.

With the springs fixed at their bases to each other and to the bars 24, it will be noted that the upper ends thereof which are not enlarged will be spaced in the manner shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. For the purpose of tying the upper ends of these springs together while still providing for limited movement of these springs relative to each other, flexible strips are provided, these strips in the embodiment of the invention shown extending transversely of the spring unit and between adjacent transverse rows. The strips 30 are preferably of cloth such as burlap,

.and each strip is provided in each longitudinal edge with a hem 31. Mounted in each hem 31 is a longitudinally extensible member such as the closly wound coil spring 32, the strips 30 being.

shirredon these longitudinally extensible members to provide a certainfullness for a reason which will hereinafter be, more fully described. Clips 33 secure the adjacent portions of the hems 31 and members 32 to the top convolutions 20 of the coil springs whereby all of the springs in each transverse row' are fixed at their upper ends to the adjacent edge of the adjacent flexible strip.

As brought out before, the cloth strips 30 are shirred on the extensible members. Further, these strips are preferably slightly wider thanthe distance between the adjacent portions of adjacent transverse rows, with the result that the tops of the spring are permitted a slight lateral movement relative to eachother, this movement being limited bythe width of the strips 30. 3

In use, it will be found that when the tops of the'springs are secured together in the mannerabove described, they will be held sufficiently the cloth strips 30 assuming the necessary posifirmly in position to give the desired rigidity to the spring unit. Each spring will be so connected to the remaining springs in the same transverse row that it may move slightly toward or away from these springs and may be further slightly depressed without at the same time depressing adjacent springs. Thus, for example, if the spring designated by the reference character A in Fig.2 is slightly depressed, the springs B and C on opposite sides of this spring in the same transverse row will not be deflected until the fullness of the strips 30 between the spring A and the springs B and C has been exhausted, it being understood that the longitudinally extensible member will give sufficiently to permit this slight individual compression of the one spring with respect to the adjacent springs. Further,

depression of the top of .the spring A will not necessarily depress the tops of springs D and E which lie on opposite sides of the spring A and in the same longitudinal row since the fullness provided by the width of the strips 30 permitsdrawings, the top convolutions of adjacent springs may lie in entirely difierent planes and may be inclined relative to each other if this becomes necessary in the shaping of the cushion,

tions to provide for these variations in the positions of the top convolutions of adjacent springs. Thus springs of different size may be utilized without increasing to any extent the difliculty oi tying these springs together.

- In Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, a slightly modified form of construction isdisclosed in which means is provided for holding the-springs under compression. It will be noted that the extensible members secured to the tops of the springs are arranged inpairs, there being one pair of exmembers of each pair of the latter.

Thus, referring more particularly to Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that each bar 24 is in alignment with one extensible member 32 and in this modified form of construction the cloth strip 30 is extended through the spring unit and is secured at its lower end to the'corre-.

sponding bar 24 Thus listing strips 40 areprovided which connect the rigid bars 24 to one of each pair of extensible members 32 at the top of the spring unit. It will be understood that the listing strips 40 preferably extend the full distance across. the spring unit between the transverserows of coil springs in the manner illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings, and b ing these listing strips of the proper width, the

11 Springs may be placed under any degree of compression desired. Thus the listing strips, being fixed at their lower endsto the rigid bars and being secured at their upper ends to the top convolutions of the springs, will pull downwardly on the latter and hold the springs under compression to the desired degree. 1

As in the first described embodiment of the invention, the. springs in the modified fo of construction will be tied together while bein lowed 'a limited displacement relative to each other. Further, the coil springs of the unit may be variably depressed to the degree desired to facilitate the proper shaping of the outer surface of the spring unit.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be clearly understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What I claim as my invention is: 1. In a spring unit, a row of coil springs, a second row of coil'springs positioned adjacent the first mentioned row of "coil springs, the tops of the coil springs in each row being spaced from the tops of the coil springs in the other row, a strip of flexible non-extensible material of greater width than the distance between the tops of the springs arranged between said rows of springs adjacent the top thereof, and means for securing the longitudinal edges of said strip of flexiblematerial to the adjacent portions of the. top convoplurality of coil springs relation to each other, strips of flexible non-extensible material arranged between the rows of arranged in rows with the tops thereof in spaced springs adjacent the. tops thereof, resilient longitudinal edges of said stripsof material, and

longitudinally extensible members secured to the rows of springs 'arranged between said. rows of v springs adjacent the tops thereof, hems formed in the longitudinal edges of said strip of flexible material, longitudinally extensible members mounted in said hems, and clips securing said longitudinally extensible members to the top convolutions of said springs.

4. In a spring unit,a plurality of coil springs arranged in rows with the tops thereof in spaced relation to each other, a longitudinally extensible resilient member arranged adjacent one side of one of said rows of springs at the top thereof and resiliently connecting adjacent springs of said row, a second longitudinally extensible resilient member secured to the adjacent sides of the coil springs of the next adjacent row at the top thereof, and a strip of non-extensible flexible material arranged between said longitudinally extensible members connected to the .same and serving to flexibly connect the adjacent rows of coil springs.

5. In a'spring construction, a plurality of coil springs arranged in rows, a pair of longitudinally extensible members secured to each row adjacent the edges thereof and resilientlyconnecting ad-' jacent springs thereof, means including a listing strip secured to one of the longitudinally extensible members of each pair for holding the springs of its respective row under compression, and an extension formed on each listing strip connected to one of the longitudinally extensible members of the pair of said members secured to the next adjacent row of coil springs.

' 6. In a spring unit, a plurality of coil springs arranged in spaced rows, a pair of longitudinally extensible members resiliently connecting the tops of adjacent springs of each row, means inj formed on said listingstrips for connecting adjacent longitudinally extensible members to flexibly connect adjacent rows of springs.

I. In combination, a plurality of coil springs arranged in two rows, a longitudinally extensible member secured to each row adjacent an edge thereof and connecting the coil springs thereof to each other, means including a listing strip connected to one of said longitudinally extensible members for holding the springs of the row to which said longitudinally extensible member is secured under compression, and an extension formed on said listing strip and connected to the longitudinally extensible member of the other row.

8. In a spring unit, a pair of rows of coil springs, the tops .of the springs in one row being spaced from the tops of the springs in the other row,

a member extending longitudinally of one of said rows of springs and connecting the tops there-'- of,-a second member extending longitudinally of the other row of the coil springs and connecting the tops thereof, and a strip of flexible material disposed between said rows of coil springs and having its longitudinal edges connected to said members.

9. In a cushion spring construction comprising spaced rows of coil springs, a fabric strip disposed in each space between rows in the plane of the adjacent top coils, a close wound helical spring attached to each longitudinal' edge of said strips, and means securing each helical spring to the adjacent top coils.

10. In a cushion spring construction comprising spaced rows of coil springs a fabric strip disposed in each space between rows in the plane of the adjacent top coils, a resilient member sewed in. each longitudinal edge of said strips, and means securingeach resilient member to the adjacent top coils. 1 a

11. In a cushion spring construction comprising spaced rows of coil springs, a fabric strip disposed in each space between rows in subs'tantially the plane of the adjacent top coils, a

flexible reinforcing member attached to each lon-' gitudinal edge of said strips, and means securing each reinforcing member to the coils adjacent the longitudinal edges of the strips.

12. In a cushion springconstruction comprising spaced rows of coil springs, a fabric strip disposed in each space between rows in the plane of the-adjacent top coils, a close wound helical spring sewed in each longitudinal edge of said strips, and means securing eachhelical spring to the adjacent top coils.

FRED BURCH. 

